After a lackluster first half against Ave Maria (3-2, 1-1 SUN), the Thomas Night Hawks (1-4, 0-2 SUN) fell one score short of their first victory versus an NAIA opponent. 

Ave Maria led the Night Hawks 21-0 after the 1st quarter, and 28-8 at halftime.  Thomas dominated the second half of the action, on both side of the ball, and was able to pull to within one score, midway through the 4th quarter. With allof the momenteum in favor of the Night Hawks, and needing one additional possession, the Gyrenes were able to buckle down, and put together an impressive drive, that consumed the final 8:43 of the game clock, to hold on to the victory.  

Early mistakes would lead to the Gyrenes early success.  After trading drives to begin the game, a costly turnover, on the Night Hawks second drive, would lead to the Ave Maria first score.  The Gyrenes would gain a pick-six, that covered 38 yards, to score their first touchdown, at the 9:51 point in the 1st quarter.

Ave Maria would block a Thomas punt, on the next possession, to lead to the next Gyrene touchdown.  Ave Maria would recover the ball at the Thomas 6-yardline, and score two plays later, to increase the score to 14-0.

A Thomas fumble would lead to the next Ave Maria score.  After the Gyrenes recovered a fumble on the Thomas 25-yardline, Ave Maria would take five plays, and less than one minute, to chalk up their third score.

Another Night Hawk fumble, would allow Ave Maria to score their final touchdown of the day.  Recovering the ball, just outside of the red zone, at the Night Hawks 23-yardline, Ave Maria would tack on another touchdown to increase the score to 28-0, with 9:25 remaining in the first half.  The Night Hawks would own most of the rest of the game.

Thomas would close out the 2nd quarter with a score.  Chris Carter would lead a six play, 46-yard drive to put the Night Hawks on the scoreboard.  On the drive, Carter either personally rushed the ball or threw a pass on every play of the drive.  The touchdown pass was an 11-yard strike to Jarek Foster.  After an Ave Maria penalty, the Night Hawks would go for two, and succeed, with Carter rushing up the middle for the conversion, bringing the halftime score to 28-8, in favor of Ave Maria.

Ave Maria would catch the turnover bug after halftime.  After an interception by Fabian Yarbrough, Thomas would put together an eight play, 43-yard drive, for the score.  Carter would carry the ball to pay-dirt, this time from one-yard out, for the touchdown.  Carter would complete a pass to Brandon Denmark for the 2-point conversion, cutting the score to 28-16.

The Night Hawks would gain possession after a Gyrene missed field goal, and capitalize on the opportunity.  A 13-play, 77-yard drive, consuming 7:24 would result in the Night Hawks third touchdown of the half.  Carter's pass to Tremal Hall for, 17-yards, followed by Carter's pass to Levi Reliford, for 12 yards, would set up a James Amaker run for 4-yards and the score.  But a failed 2-point conversion left the score 28-22 with 8:43 remaining in the ball game.

Needing one defensive stop to regain possession of the ball, the Gyrenes held the ball the final 8:43 of the ball game. Of the 15 plays ran, Ave Maria rushed the ball 11 times.  Despite a valiant effort, with the Night Hawks running off 22 unanswered points, their effort came up short, and Ave Maria held on for the victory.

The Night Hawks will travel to Lakeland, FL, on Saturday, to face the Southeastern Fire in Sun Conference action.  The game is set for a 7pm kickoff.

For up-to-date information on this game and other TU Athletics, visit http://www.TUNightHawks.com. Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, play-by-play, and feature stories of your TU Football team by following them via X (formerly know as Twitter) at @NightHawksMFB.